Headed to Romanticon! #rcon13

Uncategorized / By Lisa Carlisle

Tomorrow I head back to Ohio for my second Romanticon, the phenomenal conference put on by my publisher Ellora’s Cave. I’ve been looking forward to this pretty much since I returned last year. Why? Well, last year was my first time attending. I was a new author and didn’t know anyone. So going in was intimidating. But I was very excited to write for Ellora’s Cave and wanted to be part of this event.

My reservations vanished when I discovered how welcoming everyone was. Within the first hour, I was dancing with everyone at the welcome party. The conference got better and better. Nights out dancing when you’re a mom are rare, but I danced all weekend. The panels were fun and taught me all kinds of things I didn’t know. Zumba with the caveman was a blast. My final day was at the book signing. I met some lovely authors and readers and even sold some books!

Oh, I almost forgot the most perfect way to top this off. At an awards party, I was given a Rising Star award. I’m holding it in the picture with the Cavemen. Can you see why I’m excited about returning this year?

This year promises to be even better. I’ve met many more authors and readers online and am looking forward to meeting them in person. I met my fabulous editor at the Book Expo American in NY earlier this year and will see her again. Also, I’m on a panel with three other authors who have written books for the On the Hunt theme, which came out earlier this year. So we’ll be leading readers on a fun scavenger hunt for some great prizes.

Stay tuned for more from this year’s Romanticon!

Six Pack Stud-a-Thon Hop with Lisa Carlisle

Contests / By Lisa Carlisle

Welcome to the Six Pack Stud-a-Thon Hop! I’m one of the authors participating in this fun event.

Who doesn’t enjoy admiring a six-pack? Almost impossible not to drool. I’m looking forward to an event next month with six-packs galore–Ellora’s Cave Romanticon. Last year was my first time there and I spent the first few hours trying to pick my jaw up off the floor. The Caveman walk around shirtless for our viewing pleasure. It’s heaven…

Here I am with them after receiving a Rising Star award. Did you even notice me in the middle? No, I didn’t expect you to with all the eye candy! It’s okay, I get it. 😉

So in a few short weeks, I’ll be heading back to Ohio for this fantastic event. This year I’m on a panel with fellow EC authors discussing our On the Hunt novels, books featuring bounty hunters. We will be discussing what makes bounty hunters so irresistible. Do you agree? If so, why or why not?

I’m giving a copy of my latest novel Bloodlust and Metal. Look on the cover, it features Alpha Caveman Nick as my shapeshifting bounty hunter Devon. Very sexy indeed. For a chance to win, enter the Rafflecopter entry below.

Bloodlust and Metal

Book 4 in the Underground Encounters series

On the run from a master vampire, young vampire Layla Black flees London to reinvent herself as the singer of an Eighties cover band in Boston. Devon St. Clair is the bounty hunter hired to track her down. As a shapeshifter with extraordinary skills, his reputation is known throughout the supernatural world. Capturing Layla should be an easy gig that will net a nice profit.

The situation doesn’t go as Devon plans. He wants Layla in his bed, but shapeshifters and vampires don’t mix. They should hate each other, but instead they’re keeping the sheets steamy. When circumstances force them on the run together, their preconceived notions are challenged. If they can evade those hunting them and convince his fellow shapeshifters to help her even though she’s a vampire, they just might have a chance to explore where all that hot, sweaty sex can take them.

Buy now at:
Ellora’s Cave
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for the Grand Prize giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don’t forget to visit the other authors on the hop.
Good luck!

Romanticon Part 2

Writing / By Lisa Carlisle

Zumba with Nick and Ace was a great way to start day 2. Since I try to workout every day and the hotel gym was lacking– leaving me to run the hotel stairs or the mean streets of Canton–I was really looking forward to this. And the view wasn’t so bad. 😉

At lunch, I met up with a group of writers in the hotel. We share the same editor so it was good to meet them, discuss what we’re working on, and hear different experiences.

During the afternoon, I went to sessions on writing paranormal characters and BDSM. In both instances, I thought holy crap, there is so much I don’t know about in this world! Although the women in the BDSM panel were amazing sharing all the research that goes into writing their books, I don’t think I’ll be taking that route. Paranormal is more my style–I can invent it myself. 🙂

Finally, a writing break. I worked on my third book in the Underground Encounters series. The beginning and end were written, but the middle had a bunch of scenes I had to organize. Now that I have the order set, I’m running with the story again. I love these characters and the setting!

And then, it was time for dinner and the Apocalypse party — survivors vs the living dead. The ball room was decorated with a spooky Halloween theme, which is my favorite theme for just about any time of year. After dinner with some new friends, they presented awards. To my surprise, I received a Rising Star award as one of the new Ellora’s Cave authors! I was so excited, I could barely sit in my seat after that. Figures, the time I receive an award is while wearing camouflage and pigtails. Only at Romanticon. I’m a former Marine and have written two books about the experience. I suspected one day my military memoirs and paranormal romances would meet–but never expected it to be quite like this! Plus, I feel very skinny next to them.

We danced, we drank, we danced some more. The night went by far too fast.

The next morning, I worked out on my own, unfortunately without cavemen. Time was running out . A quick breakfast, packing up, and off to the book signing.

I sat next to Regina Carlysle, who is as sweet as can be. I loved hanging out with her. We joked how we’re twins, although she’s a blond from Texas and I’m a brunette from Boston. And since we both write about paranormal characters, why not write a Carlysle and Carlisle book? What fun that would be. Or we’d have a good name to start a law firm.

Every half hour the cavemen danced or the burlesque dancers came out. In other words, not your average book signing and I’m pleased to say I had a great view. Sadly, I had to leave before it was over to catch my plane. And of course, airport security had to open my bags when it was filled with swag from Romantica. Who wants to explain to security why you have a condom lollipop reading Got Sex?

It was worth the humiliation, though. Once again, I want to say how great this experience was. I danced every night and even one morning with Zumba. The publisher, writers, and readers are all so warm, welcoming, smart, and sassy. I am so happy and proud to have joined the EC family.

Oh, and did I mention they have cavemen? Yeah, that’s right, baby!

Notes from Day 1 at Romanticon

Books, Writing / By Lisa Carlisle

I’m in Ohio at my first Romanticon for my publisher, Ellora’s Cave. I’ve been to all kinds of writing conferences before, but NOTHING like this! Everything about it is extraordinary so far–from the writers, to the sessions, to the parties, and to the hot cavemen. 😉

I arrived late Thursday night and thought I’d missed out on all the fun that day. Not so, women were still dancing in the bar with Caveman Rodney. Before I could even drink two sips of wine, he got me out onto the dance floor. Once I was out there, I didn’t leave until the party ended.

On Friday, I spent the morning working out and checking out the area where I found a cool cafe advertising pumpkin coffee so I was sold. After working on my book there, I returned to the hotel and what a shift! The afternoon began with a photo shoot. Little did I know that when I got in line to pose with the EC cavemen how sexy the poses were. By the time I saw what was going on, I was at the front of the line and it was too late to back out. I think this was my first “real” encounter with the cavemen. Giorgio picked me up and–let’s just skip to the next part, shall we? I’ll just mention that it was a interesting and fun introduction!

Next I attended some fantastic sessions on EC’s new lines, writing erotic horror, and reviews. I mingled with other writers, who are the friendliest I’ve met at any conference, and then got ready for dinner and party.

This summer I found a sexy little dress in Harvard Square, Cambridge, which I’d been dying for an excuse to wear. And Romanticon was the perfect time. Girls nights out are rare when you’re a working mom so you have to take these moments when you can. What do you think? Plus, I could dance not just one night, but three? Hell yes!

After dinner, we were entertained by the cavemen with a few dance performances. Then we all danced and partied. Here I am with Dalton, a very cool writer I’d just met, and Caveman Eli at the Last Night of Your Life party. Dalton and I then decided to try to hula hoop with the props left by the burlesque dancers. A fellow writer up for hula hooping while in heels, a dress, and a long flowing scarf? — yes, this is definitely my kind of party!

So much happened on day 1 that it seemed like an entire weekend itself. My husband asked if I was being loner Lisa (who writes in cafes) or social Lisa (who dances the night away). At Romanticon, I got to be both.

I can’t wait for day 2 to begin. Starting with Zumba with caveman Nick, lunch with fellow writers, more sessions, and another fantastic party.

Fiery Nights Ahead!

Books, Writing / By Lisa Carlisle

Great news!

Fiery Nights, the sequel to Smoldering Nights, has received conditional acceptance from Ellora’s Cave. I absolutely loved writing this story — the characters, the setting, the relationship. It needs revision to clarify some things, but I don’t mind at all. I’m looking forward to working on this story again.

You know what this means? It’s my sign to register for Romanticon. Hell yeah, I’m going!

Will I see you there?

romanticon

Bloodlust and Metal